Canada Greens pin hopes on rivals' promises of electoral reform

By Julie Gordon
VANCOUVER, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The Green Party, which is in
fifth place behind the separatist Bloc Quebecois in Canada's
closely fought election, is banking on its rivals' promises of
electoral reform to help boost its showings in future elections.
Led by Elizabeth May, a fiery lawyer and vocal opponent of
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Green Party has in recent
years broadened its message from a single issue - the
environment - into what it believes is a viable alternative for
progressive voters.
This has helped boost its support, but with its supporters
spread unevenly across the country, Green candidates are
projected to take just one seat in Canada's competitive
first-past-the-post system.
This has the Greens hoping that Liberal leader Justin
Trudeau and New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair will stick
with their early promises of reforming Canada's electoral
system, if vaulted to power in Monday's vote.
"We have to get rid of first-past-the-post," said May, 61,
last week. "I've heard both Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair say
it, and with Green MPs in parliament, we'll hold them to their
word."
Canada's current electoral system allows a party to win a
majority government with less than 40 percent of the vote.
Current front-runner Trudeau has promised to study
alternatives and introduce reform legislation within the first
18 months of his term.
Mulcair has backed a mixed-member proportional system, where
each voter would cast two ballots - one for a local
representative and one for the preferred party.
The Greens would be the big winners in a proportional system
- projected to take about 4.5 percent of popular vote, they
would get roughly 13 seats, enough for official party status,
which comes with perks like more money, offices and staff.
Greens have fared well in Germany, Latvia and Ireland, which
use proportion or mixed electoral systems. Britain, which has a
first-past-the-post system, has just one Green lawmaker.
"Undoubtedly the Greens would probably have more influence
than they do now," said Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant, associate
professor of political science at Queen's University in
Kingston, Ontario.
"And especially if they could play a 'Kingmaker' role in a
coalition."
Despite Trudeau's promise to study the issue, she was unsure
if the Liberals would move ahead with reform should they take
power.
"For most of their history the Liberals have not been
supportive of this, because they've benefited in the past," she
said. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Liberals back off a bit."